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US Jury Finds 'Chinese Agent' Guilty Of Running 'Secret Police Station' in Manhattan Chinatown
A New York man, Lu Jianwang, 64, was found guilty of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government after a trial over allegations he operated a 'secret police station' in Manhattan's Chinatown. The case stems from 2022 actions surrounding the station, with a co-defendant having pleaded guilty in 2024, and follows a 2022 investigation by Safeguard Defenders into overseas service stations tied to Chinese police. Prosecutors say Lu helped locate a pro-democracy activist and did not disclose his role to U.S. authorities.
Why It Matters
The verdict highlights U.S. concerns about foreign governments' covert influence operations on American soil and underscores the Biden administration's focus on enforcing foreign agent registration and countering transnational repression.
Timeline
5 Events
May 13, 2026: Verdict delivered
May 13, 2026
A Brooklyn federal court jury found Lu Jianwang guilty of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government for operating a 'secret police station' in Manhattan's Chinatown, with the defendant facing up to 30 years in prison.
May 6, 2026: Opening statements
May 6, 2026
Prosecutor Lindsey Oken delivered opening statements, saying Lu Jianwang had ties with Chinese law enforcement and met with officials who tasked him with opening the station during a 2022 trip to China.
2024: Chen Jinping pleads guilty
2024
Co-defendant Chen Jinping pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring to act as an unregistered Chinese agent.
April 2023: Lu Jianwang arrested
April 2023
Lu Jianwang, a naturalised U.S. citizen, was arrested in April 2023 and charged with conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent, acting as an unregistered agent of China, and obstruction of justice.
2022: Safeguard Defenders report and Lu's trip to China
2022
A 2022 investigation by Safeguard Defenders reported that China had set up overseas 'service stations' including in New York. Prosecutors later said Lu Jianwang traveled to China in 2022 and was tasked with opening the station after meeting Chinese officials.